OFFICIAL - 450DA Owner's Thread****

Helm seat is in! Totally rebuilt with added head and armrests. Companion bench seat is next. Can't say enough about Linda and Quality Marine Upholstery out of Bradenton FL.

Love what you have done with your 450 !

Seems we are on parallel paths !

BEST !

RWS
 
great, they don't ship to the USA.... I did find a dealer in Alaska, they want $19 to ship a $3 part.
Welcome to my world! Be glad its not a "hazardous good".

Btw, I just rang Beyond Hardware and asked them if they will ship to the US. They said absolutely, just email them and they will work out the quote for the shipping cost.
 
Welcome to my world! Be glad its not a "hazardous good".

Btw, I just rang Beyond Hardware and asked them if they will ship to the US. They said absolutely, just email them and they will work out the quote for the shipping cost.
Thank you...
 
Those of you without the Cablemaster or Kohler Soundshield - (Like Frank's 450) have a wide-open football field of space in the aft section of the engine room.

My 450DA is equipped with:

3126 CATS with AIRSEPS
Kohler genset with sound enclosure
Cablemaster

Access logistics aft between the Cablemaster and the huge Kohler soundshield can be made far FAR easier by relocating the coolant overflow bottles.

The Kohler overflow tank is mounted on the outside of the port soundshield. Requires removal which can be messy when changing the Kohler zinc or other genny maintenance items. I've routed the new hose down through the soundshield case to the one open and available grommeted opening and connected the genset to the former factory CAT expansion tank on the port side.

Next was relocating the CAT tanks to the two vertical cockpit floor supports. Easily done with a stainless steel U-Bolt and an aluminum angle bracket. Mounting this above the support connecting bolt insures it won't slip down and I used McMaster-Carr vinyl covered U-Bolts which actually allow it to swing for easier filling access.

This simple change allows better and easier access to the overboard waste seacock, rudder packing nuts and everything around that cablemaster.

Genny soundshield removal is now a snap.

I've also added Southco latches to the forward and aft soundshield inspection doors as the factory velcro system proved unreliable over time.

Photos below show the sound enclosure with the Southco latches and expansion tank attached as it was by the factory, prior to removal.

BEST !

RWS

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Just installed the anti-divorce device!

Tried it out a week ago and it was brilliant!
A little late to the reply - but this looks interesting. How does it tie in to our 450?

Edit: Sorry - I just found the manual in English and answered my question. Looks like a bit of an installation challenge!
 
A little late to the reply - but this looks interesting. How does it tie in to our 450?

Edit: Sorry - I just found the manual in English and answered my question. Looks like a bit of an installation challenge!
Curious where you found the manual. I'm searching online but only finding links to the control panels.

Disregard, found it as well. It is a bit of an install.
 
The install is worth it but requires courage.

Once you remove the windlass gypsy you need to drill a hole through the windlass and hull for the lap sensor. The important missing step is to coat the hole in epoxy so that none of the hull core is exposed to potential water ingress.

Running a two core cable the length of the boat to the helm is simpler than it sounds, but still requires patience. In my case galley is to port, so I went down the starboard side.

Happy to answer any question.
 
A couple of improvements to share:

Way down on the list is the need for cockpit electrical outlets on the starboard side. A big help when running fans without extension cords all over the deck.

Had to replace the icemaker, so while it's out I may as well get this project done.

I chose 2 outlets with built-in device chargers, and ran stranded (NOT SOLID) ANCOR triplex wire.

There's an outlet behind the icemaker which is a convenient source.

The new outlets utilize weatherproof housings &
covers. One is located in the existing - former TV/stereo connector hole on the starboard radar arch post - so no additional holes in the arch. The second one is located inside the storage locker adjacent to the icemaker.

These are worthy additions worth sharing.

Photos below

BEST !

RWS
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Many years ago I upgraded the MAGMA grill on my 10 meter to a Webber Baby Q, mounted to a piece of starboard on a gimbal mount for a rod holder.

This arrangement doesn't work well on the 450DA, especially with the proximity of the rod holders to the upholstery.

I considered a pedestal mount on the swim platform, but that would interfere with the dinghy.

Then I figured on an angled, removable table mount on the water side of the transom, but that would not give me any place to stage food/plates/etc.

Decided to install it on the lower side of the port side gunnel.

This gives me access to the wetbar sink and the "staging area" adjacent to the icemaker.

This spot also allows for the transom door to open and close as well as allowing access to the bow step.

Finally, if it's raining, I'm still good to cook.

I did relocate the fire extinguisher.

The angled post detaches from the starboard via a simple spring pin.

I can throw the grill and the post in the lazarette when we go anchor out

I'll probably remove those two black plastic foldouts on the sides of the Baby Q

So here's a few photos - please ignore the installation mess.

BEST !

RWS

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Anyone running a hydraulic lift on their 45? I have a friend who installed a sealift and is trying to decide where to mount chocks to reduce the amount of weight aft when lowering the platform.
 
Many years ago I upgraded the MAGMA grill on my 10 meter to a Webber Baby Q, mounted to a piece of starboard on a gimbal mount for a rod holder.

This arrangement doesn't work well on the 450DA, especially with the proximity of the rod holders to the upholstery.

I considered a pedestal mount on the swim platform, but that would interfere with the dinghy.

Then I figured on an angled, removable table mount on the water side of the transom, but that would not give me any place to stage food/plates/etc.

Decided to install it on the lower side of the port side gunnel.

This gives me access to the wetbar sink and the "staging area" adjacent to the icemaker.

This spot also allows for the transom door to open and close as well as allowing access to the bow step.

Finally, if it's raining, I'm still good to cook.

I did relocate the fire extinguisher.

The angled post detaches from the starboard via a simple spring pin.

I can throw the grill and the post in the lazarette when we go anchor out

I'll probably remove those two black plastic foldouts on the sides of the Baby Q

So here's a few photos - please ignore the installation mess.

BEST !

RWS

Interesting to see how others do this.
I also have the Weber baby-q, but I have a SS holder that plugs into the rod-holder on the "staple" out on the swim platform. Problem is, if you drop your "tongs", they're gone and if the wind is blowing, it blows out the flame.

bbq1.jpg
 
O.K.......................... O.K................... Yes, I know.

It really IS wretched excess......

But gosh.....

WHAT A DIFFERENCE !

The pedestal was so sloppy.

NOTHING I did to fix it worked.

Then i smeared a bit of dielectric grease on the moving parts I couldn't stop the slime from essping down the tube, to be easily wiped off by my dog's fur.

But it does come off with DAWN liquid.

Anyhow, the difference is REMARKABLE.

Tom Mott is right, if you're gonna keep your boat, the result in worthwhile.

In my case, I can now sit up higher and see over the windshield, or lower the adjustment as necessary.

The support at the small of my back is of tremendous benefit, as is the thigh support and the footrest.

I'm not 20 anymore, and with the STIDD, I find myself sitting more and being relaxed, as opposed to standing most of the time with the factory seat.

This 1996 Dancer is otherwise nearing perfection, I bought her at the bottom of her depreciation curve, she's paid for and she will be my swan song, last boat.

So, here's to my wretched STIDD excess........

BEST !

RWS

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On the bow where the water drains by the docking lights. I would like to add the clear tube so the water drains away from the boat. I recall Frank doing it to his. Does anyone know the size of the tubing or where to get it??
 

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